Pro Pundits - Lateriser

Which FPL forward should we choose to replace Harry Kane?

It’s been a while since I did the Burning Question format so I thought it would be a good time to revisit it. I asked the community to send me some questions and I’ll be answering a few here. Let’s get stuck right in.

Q1) What is the ideal front three if no budget constraints? @pras_fpl

Hi Pras, thank you so much for the question. Hope you are doing well. The injury to Harry Kane (£11.3m) and the lack of form of Patrick Bamford (£6.7m) has opened up the striker positions. Just a small note on Patrick Bamford, in the last four matches, he sits outside the top 30 players in the league for expected goals (xG). It’s easy to forget that he is still fairly cheap and offers value but he has a mixed bag of fixtures in the next five Gameweeks and doesn’t make my list for the ideal front three. So who does make my list?

Calvert-Lewin and Bamford the Fantasy focus as Everton host Leeds

First up, it’s Dominic Calvert-Lewin (£7.6m). Yes he has had four blanks in a row but it is worth mentioning that his merry men are back and as noted by Tom Freeman in his excellent article, Everton are a different beast when all their main players are playing together. Here is what Tom cited:

“Everton are a different proposition when they can get Lucas Digne (£6.0m), James Rodríguez (£7.7m), Richarlison (£7.8m) and Dominic Calvert-Lewin all on the pitch at the same time. In fact, in the six league games they’ve started together this season, the Toffees have scored a massive 17 goals.”

Tom Freeman

That is an average of 2.83 goals per game. In the next four Gameweeks, Everton face Newcastle (home), Leeds (away), Manchester United (away) and Fulham (home). Three of those teams are in the bottom six of the league for expected goals conceded (xGC) in the last six matches. Fixtures and the calibre of opposition when they have all their main attackers fit are the reasons why DCL is top of my list of strikers at the moment.

The next two forwards who make up the ideal strikeforce for me are Michail Antonio (£6.4m) and Ollie Watkins (£6.2m). Antonio just makes West Ham better as an attacking outfit and owners were extremely unlucky to come away with just an assist against Crystal Palace.

He should have had a lot more from the game but he looks very sharp on the eye-test, has good underlying numbers, and has a fairly decent fixture run as well. Also worth noting that in the last four matches, West Ham are in the top five in the league for Big Chance Threat (BCT) and for attempts in the box which further justifies the presence of Antonio making the Hammers a much better attacking unit.

The same can be said about Aston Villa who also find themselves in the top five in the league for big chances and shots in the box in the last four matches. They also look like an excellent outfit in attack and are capable of scoring goals against any opposition. Watkins has great underlying numbers as well. He is second among all strikers for BCT in the last four matches and sits third in the league for shots in the box in the same period.

Q2) If someone wanted to take a punt on Chelsea now, with good fixtures and a possible manager bounce, which two or three Chelsea assets would you suggest? (@PierreM80702057)

Hi Pierre. My fellow Pro-Pundit and co-host Zophar always says it is better to be late to the party rather than arriving early and realising it is a dud. As you already know, I’ve been guilty of this crime quite a few times this season and it’s one of the big reasons I’m having a poor campaign.

When it comes to Tuchel’s Chelsea, simply put we just don’t know anything about them right now. I would suggest keenly monitoring them for the next two-to-three games before jumping in because the manager is just getting to know his players right now. Let me quote from this excellent piece on Tuchel on FFScout:

“Whatever system and style Tuchel chooses to deploy at Chelsea, he always tailors it to the players he has at his disposal.”

“My role is that of a service provider, I’m here to help and support the players.”

Thomas Tuchel

It’s very early to tell who is going to benefit from having Tuchel as a manager but I’ll just say that the first game against Wolves looked really encouraging for Kai Havertz (£8.2m) who played a lot closer to goal than under Frank Lampard. That said it is very early to draw any conclusions and I’d urge FPL managers to keenly observe for some time before jumping in.

Q3) Is Man City double defence a risk now with Laporte back and raring to go? (@fpl_saffer)

Hi Kevin, thank you so much for the question and first up huge congratulations for the season you’re having. I know you’re currently in the top 50 Overall Ranking at the moment so you definitely don’t need to be taking any advice from me.

→ How many FPL points did Aymeric Laporte register across Manchester City's three Double Gameweeks?

With regards to the Manchester City centre-backs, I see no reason for Pep to change the partnership he has at his disposal right now which is why both remain good picks. I think he’ll persist with the same two in defence and you’ll probably only see a little bit of rotation due to fixture congestion and that’s about it. I wouldn’t worry about them until Pep actually makes some changes.

Q4) Who are the second best premium defensive assets (with some attacking output) behind the City boys? Liverpool, Leicester, United, Chelsea, Spurs? Or just go budget? (@FPLAlternative)

If you’re looking for a defender to pick outside of the Manchester City names, the one I’d like to recommend is Lucas Digne.

Returning Digne can help Everton's attacking assets return to form in Gameweek 20

Like I mentioned earlier in the article, Everton have a great bunch of fixtures coming up. It is worth noting he was played as a left-winger in the previous game which makes him a very enticing option and even if he isn’t out-of-position (OOP), his numbers this season have been really good.

He’s top of the league for assists per 90 (0.49 assists per 90mins) and especially with James Rodriguez back in the team and in form, I think it increases his points potential a lot. Ben Godfrey’s (£5.0m) form also means that he could potentially still be OOP for a while. Only two teams have conceded fewer goals and big chances than Everton in the last six matches so that is very promising as well.

That’s it from me for this week and I hope you enjoyed this article. Our latest episode of The FPL Wire has some more detailed information as well which you can view below in case you fancy it.

3,541 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Drop Dead Tsimikas
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    WC. Good to go? Nothing ITB.

    Areola
    Cancelo - Stones - Digne (c)
    Son - Salah - Maddi - Bruno - Gundo (v)
    Watkins - DCL

    Martinez, Cresswell, Maguire, McGoldrick

    1. OverTinker
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Maddison or Barnes?

      1. Carlton P
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        I’ve gone for Barnes, couple be OOP

    2. Carlton P
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Can you do
      Cress > Targett
      Maddy > Barnes
      Mc gold > Watkins

      1. Drop Dead Tsimikas
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        So, Watkins twice? 😉

        1. Carlton P
          • 8 Years
          3 years, 1 month ago

          Whoops

    3. Vlekz
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Is the bench that strong for a reason? You will find it insanely hard if someone 9mil+ starts firing soon(or comes back from injury like vardy).

    4. OverTinker
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      WHIch is better
      1. Wilson to DCL
      2. Soucek to Barnes/Son/Grealish

      1. FPL-(VAR)dy
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        2

        1. OverTinker
          • 5 Years
          3 years, 1 month ago

          FOr 2 which one out of those

      2. Carlton P
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        2 Son easily

    5. BurnMyBread
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      For mid to long term:

      A) Barnes + DCL
      B) Rodriguez + Watkins

      1. FPL-(VAR)dy
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        a

      2. Carlton P
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        A

    6. jaguar shark
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Start Soucek or Bamford?

      1. FPL-(VAR)dy
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Soucek

      2. Yank Revolution
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Soucek is unbenchable now no?

        1. OverTinker
          • 5 Years
          3 years, 1 month ago

          Vs pool?

          1. Vlekz
              3 years, 1 month ago

              Lack of height and no proper CB to defend set pieces

      3. FPL-(VAR)dy
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Start
        Cresswell(vs Liv)
        Holding (vs Mun)

        1. Sid07
          • 9 Years
          3 years, 1 month ago

          Cresswell

      4. Carlton P
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Any changes on WC? 0.3ITB

        Martinez | Areola

        Cancelo l Digne l Chilwell l Targett l Mitchell
        Salah l Sterling l Gündogan l Son l Barnes
        DCL l Antonio l Watkins

        No Bruno but having to go different as I’m chasing

      5. tinear
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Martinez
        Cancelo Stones Mitchell Coufal
        Salah Son Bruno Gundo
        DCL Bamford

        Steer Zouma Bissouma Kane

        1.5 itb 1 ft

        1. Zouma to Digne
        2. Kane to Antonio
        3. Bissouma to Soucek
        4. Bamford to Antonio

        Clueless here. Don’t mind taking -4 for any of the above.

        Any thoughts?

      6. WE GO FOR IT
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        McCarthy | Forster
        Cancelo | Dias | Coufal | Alioski | Ferguson
        Salah | Sterling | Bruno | Son | Soucek
        Bamford | Antonio | Brewster

        1ft and 1.9 itb.

        Pick one:
        A. Soucek to Barnes
        B. Alioksi to Targett/Digne
        C: Bamford to DCL

        1. GreennRed
          • 12 Years
          3 years, 1 month ago

          B. Targett.

        2. Karan14
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 1 month ago

          Like all 3 tbh but Alioski is probably the weakest of all.

        3. Sid07
          • 9 Years
          3 years, 1 month ago

          B to digne

        4. Carlton P
          • 8 Years
          3 years, 1 month ago

          B to Targett if it leaves £ ITB for A or B in future

        5. WE GO FOR IT
          • 8 Years
          3 years, 1 month ago

          Yeah. Alioski is the weakest link and mases most sense. Targett does allow me getting DCL next week but I guess I'm missing the main fixture for him this GW. Digne doesn't allow me much later on. Also, not fully sold on his price tag at 6m. CS aren't Everton's strong suit.

        6. WE GO FOR IT
          • 8 Years
          3 years, 1 month ago

          Cheers all! 🙂

        7. PapaWengzz
          • 4 Years
          3 years, 1 month ago

          B, Digne

      7. The Red Devil
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Start coufal Or Mitchell
        Kane/Bamford to Watkins/Antonio for a hit? (If I sell Kane, I'll bench Bamford)

        1. AMP
          • 11 Years
          3 years, 1 month ago

          I m on Mitchel atm

      8. Xanthorpe
        • 3 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        A) Rashford -> Rodriguez
        B) Bamford -> DCL

        1. Ha.
          • 8 Years
          3 years, 1 month ago

          B

      9. TheBabyfacedAssassin
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Right lineuo here, guys? Cheers.
        Areola
        Cancelo, Shaw, AWB
        Salah, Sterling , Gundo, Bruno
        DCL, Bamford, Wilson
        Subs Martinez. Soucek, Holding, Coufal

      10. Karan14
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Martinez
        Robbo Cancelo Dias
        Salah Bruno Grealish Gündo Raphinha
        DCL Antonio

        (Steer Cresswell Mitchell Brewster)

        A) Raphinha ➡️ Son -4
        B) Raphinha ➡️ Barnes -4

        Any of these worth a hit?
        Not liking Leeds next 2 fixtures (lei, EVE)
        Will need Son for GW23 captaincy anyways so I could either get him now or get Barnes for the next 2 (LEE, ful).

        1. Sid07
          • 9 Years
          3 years, 1 month ago

          Hold this week

          1. Karan14
            • 7 Years
            3 years, 1 month ago

            If I hold this week then selling Raph for Barnes or Son next week is pointless I feel.

        2. Carlton P
          • 8 Years
          3 years, 1 month ago

          A

        3. PapaWengzz
          • 4 Years
          3 years, 1 month ago

          Not considering Mane?

          1. Karan14
            • 7 Years
            3 years, 1 month ago

            Doubling up on Pool attack doesn't work out for me ever. Already got burnt twice this season.

            1. PapaWengzz
              • 4 Years
              3 years, 1 month ago

              Ive done it. Even considering Mane (c)

              1. Karan14
                • 7 Years
                3 years, 1 month ago

                Could work out his stats after the Spurs game are insane.

        4. Salan
          • 14 Years
          3 years, 1 month ago

          I would not take hit, and play Mitchell (yes, it's him) over Raphinha.

          1. Karan14
            • 7 Years
            3 years, 1 month ago

            No way Leicester are without Ndidi and Palace concede for fun lol.

      11. Salarrivederci
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Gtg? 1.0 ITB and on -8

        Areola
        Cancelo - Dias - Stones
        Salah - Mane - Bruno - Maddison - Barnes
        Antonio - Watkins

        (Martinez, AWB, Coufal, Brewster)

        1. Sid07
          • 9 Years
          3 years, 1 month ago

          What were your transfers

          1. Salarrivederci
            • 7 Years
            3 years, 1 month ago

            Kane, Smith Rowe and Cavaleiro -> Watkins, Mane and Barnes

      12. Sid07
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        1) Bamford to dcl
        2) soucek to gundo
        3) grealish to gundo

        1. Karan14
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 1 month ago

          2 is more of a priority I feel.

        2. sozopol
          • 12 Years
          3 years, 1 month ago

          yeah, 2

        3. Ha.
          • 8 Years
          3 years, 1 month ago

          1

      13. shiraz
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 3 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Who to start, pairing with my 2 city's defence

        A. Dallas
        B. Coufal
        C. Mitchell

        1. sozopol
          • 12 Years
          3 years, 1 month ago

          C

        2. Ha.
          • 8 Years
          3 years, 1 month ago

          A

      14. Ruinenlust
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Son or DCL??

        1. sozopol
          • 12 Years
          3 years, 1 month ago

          Both!

      15. PepSala
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Captain dcl or gundo? So tough

        1. ZombieEaten
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 8 Years
          3 years, 1 month ago

          DCL right now but could change. Despite Pep's comments will he give Gundo more than 60?

        2. Ha.
          • 8 Years
          3 years, 1 month ago

          Gundo

        3. sozopol
          • 12 Years
          3 years, 1 month ago

          Close, but Gundo

        4. Salan
          • 14 Years
          3 years, 1 month ago

          Gundo. On form and proven.

        5. vincentwsho
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 5 Years
          3 years, 1 month ago

          Gundo on pens

      16. ZombieEaten
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Bench Soucek or Bamford?

        1. Ha.
          • 8 Years
          3 years, 1 month ago

          Bam

        2. sozopol
          • 12 Years
          3 years, 1 month ago

          Souc

      17. Ritchies Magic Hat
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Dallas to Digne or Cancelo for a hit?

        1. Ha.
          • 8 Years
          3 years, 1 month ago

          Cancelo for free next week

          1. sozopol
            • 12 Years
            3 years, 1 month ago

            agree

      18. Ha.
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        For the next few:

        A. Salah
        B. Mane
        C. Sterling
        D. Gundo

        1. PapaWengzz
          • 4 Years
          3 years, 1 month ago

          I think D is priority.

          1. Ha.
            • 8 Years
            3 years, 1 month ago

            Thanks

        2. sozopol
          • 12 Years
          3 years, 1 month ago

          D

        3. F_Ivanovic
          • 8 Years
          3 years, 1 month ago

          A

          1. Ha.
            • 8 Years
            3 years, 1 month ago

            Class is permanent?

      19. Drop Dead Tsimikas
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        1. Salah / Maddison / Maguire / Mcgoldrick
        2. Mane / Barnes / Shaw / Antonio and 0.4 ITB?

        1. Ha.
          • 8 Years
          3 years, 1 month ago

          2 is more balanced

      20. Vlekz
          3 years, 1 month ago

          Wc in 25
          Dier to (-4)
          A)digne
          B)chilwell
          C)hold and play
          (Reason for hit is, whoever I bring in has a great chance of an attacking return this week to cover up for the hit)

          1. Ha.
            • 8 Years
            3 years, 1 month ago

            C

          2. F_Ivanovic
            • 8 Years
            3 years, 1 month ago

            I have similar situation. Already on a -4, but could go for a -8 to bring in one of the above. Deciding to hold it though (actually playing mitchell over Dier atm, but still unsure about it)

            1. Vlekz
                3 years, 1 month ago

                I am not on a hit, but that doesn't really matter. I look at each hit separately.
                With wc in 25 I think this is the time to try and cut down the leads in my mini league, but then I don't wanna overdo it, so really confused

          3. Roy Rovers
            • 9 Years
            3 years, 1 month ago

            GTG? ....Martinez or McCarthy?

            Martinez or McCarthy
            Cancelo Stones Creswell
            Bruno Grealish Salah Son Gundogan
            DCL (C) Antonio

            Bamford Mitchell Dallas

            1. Ha.
              • 8 Years
              3 years, 1 month ago

              Martinez for upside

          4. Catilo
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 9 Years
            3 years, 1 month ago

            Which combo is better this GW?

            A. Sterling + Watkins
            B. DCL + Bamford

            1. Ha.
              • 8 Years
              3 years, 1 month ago

              A

          5. Nay08
            • 3 Years
            3 years, 1 month ago

            Who to Captain? Salah, Bruno, Gundogan, Grealish, DCL, or Cancelo?

            and who to play? Watkins or Bamford?

            1. Ha.
              • 8 Years
              3 years, 1 month ago

              Gundo
              Watkins

              1. Catilo
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 9 Years
                3 years, 1 month ago

                Already have Gundo..

                1. Ha.
                  • 8 Years
                  3 years, 1 month ago

                  ?

                  1. Catilo
                    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                    • 9 Years
                    3 years, 1 month ago

                    Omg failed reply, sorry 😀

          6. Gentlemens club
            • 5 Years
            3 years, 1 month ago

            Team in right order?

            Mendy
            Stones Cancelo Justin
            Gundo Son Salah Bruno
            Watkins DCL Antonio

            Martinez/Soucek/Dallas/Coufal

          7. DAZZ
            • 9 Years
            3 years, 1 month ago

            Captain who? DCL, Salah, Bruno, Cancelo, Grealish?

          8. SpaceCadet
            • 10 Years
            3 years, 1 month ago

            Take a risk with Sterling cap or play it safe with gundo?

            1. Ha.
              • 8 Years
              3 years, 1 month ago

              Sterling

              1. SpaceCadet
                • 10 Years
                3 years, 1 month ago

                Cheers

            2. Surfreak
              • 14 Years
              3 years, 1 month ago

              Sterling!

          9. WE GO FOR IT
            • 8 Years
            3 years, 1 month ago

            Is Digne worth 6m?

            Next 4 fixtures are : NEW lee mun FUL

            Newcastle looks like the most possible CS. Attacking returns are always a possibilty but enough to warrant 6m?

            1. Ha.
              • 8 Years
              3 years, 1 month ago

              Yes
              Yes

              1. WE GO FOR IT
                • 8 Years
                3 years, 1 month ago

                Cheers! 🙂
                I'm actually between him and DCL. Can get one of them. DCL may be more explosive.

                1. Ha.
                  • 8 Years
                  3 years, 1 month ago

                  Disagree

                  Digne more explosive when you consider CS and BAPS also

            2. SpaceCadet
              • 10 Years
              3 years, 1 month ago

              Same dilemma. Not sure whether to get him for zouma for a hit. Other option is to start Dallas.

              1. Ha.
                • 8 Years
                3 years, 1 month ago

                Start Dallas

                1. SpaceCadet
                  • 10 Years
                  3 years, 1 month ago

                  Not with the hit? Will have to deal with zouma soon though.

                  1. SpaceCadet
                    • 10 Years
                    3 years, 1 month ago

                    *worth

              2. WE GO FOR IT
                • 8 Years
                3 years, 1 month ago

                I porbably would start Alioski if I don't get Digne/Targett

            3. Salan
              • 14 Years
              3 years, 1 month ago

              I don't trust Everton's CS until Pickford dropped. Digne may get some attacking returns in the coming 4 gws, but we may have better choices from Manchester City in the coming 2 gws and Westham/Manchester United thereafter.

          10. amit1964
            • 7 Years
            3 years, 1 month ago

            good morning!

            on wc :
            a) taa
            b)robertson
            thank you

            1. Ha.
              • 8 Years
              3 years, 1 month ago

              C

            2. Surfreak
              • 14 Years
              3 years, 1 month ago

              Was Robbo, now Trent.